Flotilla Season Has Arrived: Malaysian Vessel Blocked from Gaza

A Malaysian ship allegedly carrying “aid for Palestine” was intercepted by the IDF Monday as it attempted to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza.

By Chana Ya'ar

First Publish: 5/18/2011, 3:12 PM / Last Update: 5/18/2011, 3:31 PM

It's that time of year again.

A Malaysian ship allegedly carrying “aid for Palestine” was intercepted by the IDF Monday as it attempted to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza.

The vessel, sent by the Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF), had been anchored for several days at an Egyptian port, according to the Associated Press.

Israeli military personnel attempted to persuade the activists to return to Egypt but when the vessel disregarded their efforts, IDF soldiers fired warning shots to underscore the message. At that point, the vessel changed course, AP reported, returning to Egypt. There were no injuries.

The “Spirit of Rachel Corrie Mission” apparently set sail from the Greek Port of Piraeus one week ago, carrying 11 pro-Hamas activists and journalists.

Among those on board, according to the PGPF website, were seven Malaysians, two Irish nationals, two people from India and one Canadian.

The organization claimed the ship was carrying 7.5 kilometers of UPVC (plastic) sewage pipes “to help restore the devastated sewerage (sic) system in Gaza.”

Turkey's terrorist-linked IHH organization has confirmed it will send a second flotilla to attempt another breach of the Gaza blockade in June. The organization last year sponsored the notorious Mavi Marmara flotilla ship where nine terror activists died after attacking Israeli naval commandos who boarded the vessel.